Job Description: Validation Engineer 4 – Processor / Silicon Validation

Location: San Jose, CA
Experience: 8+ years (8–10 years preferred)
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering (EE) or Computer Engineering (CE)

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Validation Engineer to join a highly technical engineering team focused on processor silicon interface validation, with a strong emphasis on power management, electrical characterization, and functional validation.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing and executing platform-level validation test plans, debugging processor and PC platform I/O interfaces, and working with lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers.

Candidates with SerDes and optical link validation experience, particularly optical link system-level validation, are highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive electrical and functional test plans for processor interface validation.

• Execute validation test plans for client processors using hardware and software validation tools.

• Perform electrical characterization, functional testing, and debugging of new processor silicon interfaces.

• Troubleshoot processor and PC platform I/O interface issues, including power management-related functionality.

• Use oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, schematics, and layout documentation to analyze and resolve validation issues.

• Provide technical input into platform definition and review platform designs used for processor silicon validation.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to identify, investigate, and resolve technical issues.

• Provide technical guidance and training to junior engineers and technicians.

Required Technical Skills

• 8+ years of relevant experience in processor, silicon, hardware, or platform validation.

• Strong experience developing and executing platform-level electrical and functional test plans.

• Hands-on experience debugging processor and PC platform I/O interfaces.

• Experience with electrical characterization and processor I/O interface validation.

• Proficiency with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and hardware/software validation tools.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and PCB layout documentation.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, written communication, and verbal communication skills.

Preferred / Highly Desired Skills

• SerDes validation experience.

• Optical link validation, especially optical link system-level validation.

• Processor silicon I/O interface electrical characterization.

• Power management interface validation.

• Experience working in a processor or semiconductor hardware validation lab.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering with 8–10 years of relevant experience; or

• Master’s degree in a related engineering discipline with 8+ years of directly relevant experience.

An advanced degree is a plus.